Ahead of the Defqon.1 music festival at Penrith’s Sydney International Regatta Centre this weekend, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Clinical Director for Drug and Alcohol services, Dr Karen Fisher is warning festival goers that they take a huge and potentially fatal risk every time they consume illicit drugs.
According to Dr Fisher, a huge increase in the production of new novel psychoactive drugs that mimic the effects of illicit stimulants has made the risks associated with consuming ‘party’ drugs greater than ever before.
“These psychoactive drugs are being made in clandestine operations by small producers. They are substances that are produced to mimic – or claim to mimic – the effect of drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine or amphetamines,” said Dr Fisher.
Dr Fisher warned the unknown qualities of these drugs and their inconsistent manufacturing posed potentially fatal risks.
“There is no guarantee of the contents of the drug, its potency or the effect it will have on the person consuming it. Additionally, the manufacture of these drugs is incredibly inconsistent and there is no guarantee that the product you bought last year is the same product this year,” Dr Fisher said.
Dr Fisher urged attendees at this year’s Defqon.1 festival to consider the risks associated with these psychoactive substances. She explained potential consequences can range from excessive sweating, high blood pressure and vomiting to kidney failure, coma and death.
These potentially deadly reactions can result from the consumption of just a single pill, Dr Fisher warned.
“The potency of these drugs is entirely unknown. Do not take solace in the fact you’re ‘only taking one’. One tablet does not indicate the concentration of potentially lethal ingredients,” Dr Fisher said.
“You may be placing yourself in a catastrophically life threatening situation if you choose to take these drugs.”
